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Contextual Qur'anic Studies through Phenomenology: An Analysis of Ninian Smart’s Dimensions of Religion

Jurnal Iman dan Spiritualitas · Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026) · pp. 755–770

DOI
10.15575/jis.v6i2.48581
ISSN
2775-4596
Published
2026-05-17
Publisher
UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

This article examines the application of the phenomenological approach to religion, particularly Ninian Smart's seven-dimensional model, in the context of the Qur’an. The study aims to explore how these dimensions ritual, narrative, doctrinal, ethical/legal, social, emotional, and material are represented in the Qur’anic text and to assess their relevance for contemporary interpretive methodologies. Using a qualitative-descriptive method and thematic analysis of relevant verses, the findings reveal that the Qur’an encompasses all seven religious dimensions. This suggests that the Qur’an not only conveys theological doctrines and legal injunctions but also constructs a multifaceted structure of religious experience. The article highlights the strengths of Smart’s approach in bridging divine revelation with lived religious realities, while also cautioning against the epistemological risks of reducing revelation to mere subjective experience. These insights offer new avenues for developing thematic Qur’anic exegesis and multidimensional Islamic education.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

40 authors · 87 co-authorship links · showing the 40 most connected

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

  • State University of Malang
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Dadang KuswanaAffiliation unknown3
Yeni HurianiAffiliation unknown3
Abdul SyukurAffiliation unknown1
Bernardus Ario Tejo SugiartoAffiliation unknown1
Dede Aji MardaniAffiliation unknown1
Wan Zailan Kamaruddin Wan AliAffiliation unknown1
Ridho BaidhowiAffiliation unknown1
Dody S. TrunaAffiliation unknown1
Indah RahmawatiState University of Malang1
Dody S. TrunaAffiliation unknown1
Fakhrul LazuardiAffiliation unknown1
Asep MuhyidinAffiliation unknown1
M.Taufiq RahmanAffiliation unknown1
Husna FathiyahAffiliation unknown1
Ach HakikiAffiliation unknown1
Nase NaseAffiliation unknown1
Yoshy Hendra Hardiyan SyahAffiliation unknown1
Saeful AnwarAffiliation unknown1
Ilim Abdul HalimAffiliation unknown1
Endah WahidahAffiliation unknown1
Andi Muhammad TaufiqAffiliation unknown1
Andika Tegar PahleviAffiliation unknown1
Edi KomarudinAffiliation unknown1
Mohammad Taufiq RahmanAffiliation unknown1
Paelani SetiaAffiliation unknown1
Faqih AlfarisiAffiliation unknown1
Andini AndiniAffiliation unknown1
Mikael Adi SiswantoAffiliation unknown1
Rosihon AnwarAffiliation unknown1
Izzah Faizah Siti Rusydati KhairaniAffiliation unknown1
Solehudin SolehudinAffiliation unknown1
Nida Al RahmanAffiliation unknown1
Dian DianAffiliation unknown1
Roro Sri Rejeki WaluyajatiAffiliation unknown1
Kustana KustanaAffiliation unknown1
Gerry Ismail AnrivikaAffiliation unknown1
Putri Fajriah AiniAffiliation unknown1
Anggi Anggraeni IslamiAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/jis/oai, first harvested 7 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en-US">Contextual Qur'anic Studies through Phenomenology: An Analysis of Ninian Smart’s Dimensions of Religion</dc:title>
	<dc:creator>Malik, Nida Husna Abdul</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Rosyad, Rifki</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">religious dimension</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">contextual study</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Ninian Smart</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">phenomenology of religion</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">thematic tafsir</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">the Qur'an</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en-US">This article examines the application of the phenomenological approach to religion, particularly Ninian Smart's seven-dimensional model, in the context of the Qur’an. The study aims to explore how these dimensions ritual, narrative, doctrinal, ethical/legal, social, emotional, and material are represented in the Qur’anic text and to assess their relevance for contemporary interpretive methodologies. Using a qualitative-descriptive method and thematic analysis of relevant verses, the findings reveal that the Qur’an encompasses all seven religious dimensions. This suggests that the Qur’an not only conveys theological doctrines and legal injunctions but also constructs a multifaceted structure of religious experience. The article highlights the strengths of Smart’s approach in bridging divine revelation with lived religious realities, while also cautioning against the epistemological risks of reducing revelation to mere subjective experience. These insights offer new avenues for developing thematic Qur’anic exegesis and multidimensional Islamic education.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en-US">UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-05-17</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/jis/article/view/48581</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15575/jis.v6i2.48581</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en-US">Jurnal Iman dan Spiritualitas; Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): Jurnal Iman dan Spiritualitas; 755-770</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2775-4596</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/jis/article/view/48581/16465</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">Copyright (c) 2026 Nida Husna Abdul Malik, Rifki Rosyad</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>